History of California, Volume II, Part 68

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826

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31 Arch. Arzob., MS., iv. pt. ii. 127-8.

32 Zaralishin, Delo o Koloniy Ross, 5-6, 12-13, 19-23, 20-30. The author says that Count Nordvinof favored his plan from the first, and Senator Poleti- kin at last, but other counsels prevailed, and Russia pursned her former policy of indeeision, acknowledging the imaginary claims of the Spaniards. He also speaks of a proposition by himself and Nordvinof to bring from Russia a col- ony of serfs to be set free in California. Mofras, Exploration, ii. 6-7, notes that in the treaties of April 5, 1824, and Feb. 16, 1825, between Russia, the United States, and England, by which the former agreed to found no estab- lishments south of 54' 40', no mention is made of California. Scala, L'Influ- ence de l'Ancien Comptoir Russe, 383-4, tells us that the Russians maintained their position in spite of the treaties of 1824-5-the Mexicans being powerless against a garrison of 400 soldiers, besides a multitude of Canadians, Americans,

648

ROSS AND THE RUSSIANS.

In 1825 there was a renewal of the otter-hunting contract. Klébnikof tells us that the arrangement was made with Herrera, and was similar in its condi- tions to that of 1823-4; but that Echeandía would not permit it to be carried out except after vexatious delays and various restrictions. Captain Beuseman of the Baikal was allowed to hunt from San Luis Rey to Todos Santos from November to February, securing 468 skins; but in the division he took his pay to some extent for the past delays. 33 The vessels of 1825-6, besides the Baikal, of which Klébnikof was supercargo, were the Creizer, which sailed from San Francisco for St Petersburg in February, the Helena, with Karl Schmidt on board, the Kiakhta, and the Argosy. Paul Shelikof succeeded Schmidt as manager. In Mexico the junta de fomento de Californias clearly knew very little of the Ross establishment, since in its report of January 1825 it speaks of " the Russians, who, having extended their power to the most northern limits of Asia on the South Sea, might advance their steps within our limits." 34

In 1827, however, the junta had learned more on the subject, and spoke as follows in its voto final: "Russia, that political colonist which, having mas- tered the confines of Europe and a part of Asia, has now taken possession down to the port of Bodega, distant less than one degree from that of San Fran- cisco, which is the last point of our possessions; and from there she takes large quantities of articles which, though they ought to belong exclusively to Mexican commerce, do benefit these intruders alone; and more- over they have intercouse with the nations of the

and Kanakas-and began to intrigue and spend gold freely with a view to separate California from Mexico!

33 Klébnikof, Zapiski, 144-5. He says the company gave the Californians only 161 skins on account of the delays; but an unsigned and undated con- tract in St. Pap. Sac., MS., xi. 13-14, makes the share of the company two thirds of the whole number. One brig and 25 canoes only were to be employed, and the ground was from Sta Cruz to S. Diego. In Id., xix. 29, Beuseman is said to have delivered to Echeandía 154 skins worth $2,399.

34 Junta de Fomento de Cal., Dictamen, 13-14. In 1826 a boat was built for S. Francisco mission at $1,200 with sails and rigging. Khlebnikof, Zap., 149.

619

DEFENSIVE MEASURES.

interior, teaching then the art of war, perhaps with the design of obtaining later advantages from their friendship either to rob the nation of better lands or to wage a desolating war."35

At the beginning of 1827 Echeandia wrote to the minister of war for instructions respecting the Russian intruders. The agent of the company had assured him that the cabinets of Madrid and St Petersburg had never discussed the right by which Ross and Bodega had been occupied.36 In March he wrote again that notwithstanding courtesies shown them the Rus- sians were acting in bad faith, enticing neophytes away from San Rafael, taking seals at the Farallones, and committing other irregularities. An armed vessel was greatly needed to guard the coast from Cape San Lucas to 42.º The reply in June promised a man-of- war and other measures to check the advance of the foreigners, one of these measures being the foundation of a fort on the northern frontier, not carried into effect as is recorded elsewhere.37 The vessels of the year were the Okhotsk, Goloinin, and Baikal. The latter was under the command of Etholin, who suc- ceeded in obtaining Echeandía's permission to load with salt from the southern lagunas or salinas.38

The feeling of the company is shown by the following quotation from a letter written by the general admin- istration in 1827: "All efforts to formally declare

35 Junta de Fomento de Cal., Iniciativa de Ley, 40. The junta does not seem to understand even yet that Russians were actually in possession of Califor- nian territory. In the Correo de la Federacion, Jan. 20, 1827, 'F. T.' writes a warning against the Russians at Bodega, and an argument to show that they have no right to Californian territory, notwithstanding the representations of certain London maps. There are slight allusions to the subject in records of debates in congress in the same and other papers.

36 Jan. 8, 1827. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 123.

37 See chapter iv. of vol. iii. on the fort. March 8, 1837, Echeandía to minister of war, repeated in substance June 1Sth. Dept. Rec., MS., v. 124-6; Dept. St. Pap., ii. S. June 6th, Gomez Pedraza to Echeandía, St. Pap., Miss. and Colon., MS., ii. 309-10.

38 Tikhménef, Istor., Obos., i. 353. A duty of 50 cents per cental had to be paid besides an anchorage due of $2.12 per ton; and the process of obtaining the salt was a laborious one. Nov. 10th, the Baikal permitted to touch at Sta Cruz for produce. From a letter in Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 65-6, it would seem that the salt contract was in 1828 instead of 1827.

650

ROSS AND THE RUSSIANS.

Russian sovereignty over the places where our settle- ment is situated have failed; and under existing circumstances there appears to be no hope of final success. As far as the extension of the farm is con- cerned not much profit can be expected from such a measure without some cooperation on the part of the Mexicans, since there is no more land available in the immediate vicinity of the establishment. From all that has been done at Ross so far, it is evident that that settlement cannot undertake to supply the colony with provisions, which have still to be shipped from California as in former years." 33

In a pamphlet, for the most part descriptive of Sonora and Sinaloa, printed at Guadalajara in 1828, I find a warning against the encroachments of the Russians; and it seems to have been the idea of the authors that their "vecinos tan emprendedores" occu- pied not only Bodega but all the coast northward of that port.40

It was in June 1828 that the French trader Duhaut- Cilly spent three days at Ross, while his vessel, the Héros, was at anchor in Bodega Bay. He was most hospitably entertained by Manager Shélikof, as were all foreigners who touched on the New Albion coast; and in his journal he has given us not only a good description of the establishment but a drawing of it, probably the only one of early times extant.41

The vessels of the year were the Okhotsk, Kiakhta, and Baikal. Captain Etholin, of the latter, brought a request from Governor Ischislekof, of Sitka, for a renewal of the otter-hunting contract of 1825-6. Echeandía permitted him to hunt on equal shares

39 Tikhménef, Istor. Obos., i. 360.

40 Riesgo and Valdés, Memoria Estadística del Estado de Occidente, 39. 'Las carnes nos palpitan cuando advertimos que el Imperio Ruso, despues de ser el mas anchuroso de la tierra se venga tambien recostando sobre el terri- torio mejicano.' The Russians are in possession of Bodega and all that immense coast; have built forts and brigs; the very lighters used at San Fran- cisco were built by them; they are extending their relations by means of trade. 41 Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 169-85.

651

EVENTS OF IS27-S.

between San Diego and San Quintin; but only two bidarkas could be obtained at Ross, with which, while the Baikal was loading salt, the Aleuts took sixty- three skins. The company's ' half' amounted to forty- four. 42

In acquainting the supreme government with the concessions he had made, Echeandía noted the fact that while the Americans were accustomed to take salt without permission, the Russians comported themselves in this and other matters with the great- est delicacy and honor; but a few months later, in June 1829, he suggested to the minister of relations that the Russians be made, in a polite manner, either to quit the territory or acknowledge the sovereignty of the republic.43 Besides the Baikal, the Okhotsk visited the Californian ports this year. At Ross Shélikof seems to have been succeeded in the com- mand by Kostromitinof; and in June the fort was honored by a visit of a week from the famous Ameri- can trapper, James Ohio Pattie, who claims to have received one hundred dollars from the commandant, whom he calls Don Sereldo, for vaccinating the in- habitants. Pattie pronounced the situation "one of the most beautiful that I ever beheld, or that the imagination can conceive." "Clear, cold streams pour down the mountain unceasingly from different points, imparting moisture"!"

In 1828 the Russian ships are said not to have succeeded in obtaining the usual cargo's produce; in

42 Oct. 13, 1828, Peter Ischislekof to Echeandía. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 66-7. Dec. 10th, Echeandía allows the Baikal to take salt and otter. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 157-8. Dec. 22d, Don Adulfo (Etholin) taking otter near S. Diego. Vallejo, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., xxix. 299. Division of skins. Khlebui- kof, Zapiski, 145. April 14, 1829, Echeandía announces the concessions respecting salt and otter-skins, the former of which had yielded a revenue of $1,308 to begin with. Feb. 12th, the governor had ordered the valuation and sale of the skins taken by the Baikal. Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 10-11, 85. In the Waverly, Log, MS., 4-7, three Russian vessels are noted as arriving at Monterey from the north Nov. 25th, Dec. 2d-7th, one being named the Lapenin (or Lapwing), and another being the brig formerly called the Arab. 43 Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 11, 25.

# Pattie's Narrative, 217-19. The author implies very absurdly that the remedy for small-pox was a great mystery to the Russians, and that Don Sereldo had entreated him at San Diego to introduce its benefits at Ross.

652

ROSS AND THE RUSSIANS.

1829 it was the same, and a vessel had to be sent to Chile;45 while for 1830 I find no definite record of what was accomplished by the Baikal, apparently the only vessel of the year.

The total expenses of the company of maintaining the Ross colony are given as 45,000 rubles a year on an average from 1825 to 1830; while the income from all sources was less than 13,000 rubles per year.46 And finally we find Echean- día writing on September 18, 1830, to ask from the officer in charge at Bodega the old, old question so often asked by his predecessors, and so often eluded by the Russians: "By what authority have you founded that establishment ?" 47

45 Tikhménef, Istor. Obos., i. 344.

46 Potechin, Selenie Ross, 15; Tikhménef, Istor., Obos., i. 359.

47 Dept. Rec., MS., viii. 100. Echeandía also complains of tampering with the Indian tribes.

CHAPTER XXIX. INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.

1821-1830.

INCREASE IN POPULATION-LIST OF FOREIGNERS-GENTILES-MISSION PROG- RESS-PADRES-STATISTICS-BAPTISMS, DEATHIS, HERDS, AND CROPS- PRESIDENT, PREFECT, AND OTHER OFFICIALS-ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS- SUCCESSION OF POPES-BISHOP-CHAPLAIN-POPULAR RELIGION-THE WALTZ-CHURCH ASYLUM-I'VEBLOS AND RANCIOS-COLONIZATION AND LAND-GRANTS-LIST OF GRANTS-MANUFACTURES-LABOR AND WAGES- MINES-AGRICULTURE - STOCK-RAISING - REGULATIONS - COMMERCE- PRICES-FINANCE-MILITARY-GOVERNMENT-ADMINISTRATION OF JUS- TICE-EDUCATION.

THE population of California, that is of gente de razon, had now increased from 3,270 in 1820 to 4,250 in 1830. Such is the result obtained by combining the figures already given for the different districts; and it agrees tolerably well with such general reports and estimates as are extant.1 Of the increase, about 1,000, at least 350 came from abroad; that is, 50 offi- cers and soldiers, 150 convicts, and 150 foreigners. As registered in the mission books there were 1,866 baptisms, 717 deaths, and 357 marriages among the gente de razon. The colony of foreign residents had increased in ten years from a dozen to about 150 men, many of whom were baptized, naturalized, and married to native wives, and who as a body had already con-

1 Such general statements are 2,994 souls in 1822. Leg. Rec., MIS., i. 9; seant 3,000 in 1824. Dept. Rec., MS., i. 217; in 1827, 3,500. Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 119; 6,316, Bandini, Doc. Ilist. Cal., MS., 6; Hayes' Emig. Notes, 477; 4,000, according to Echeandía's statement in Dept. Rec., MS., vii. 18. In 1828, 2,734, Morineau, Notice, xvi. 51-2; 4,342, report in Wilkes' Narrative, v. 555; or 5,000, Bandini's statement in Bandini, Doc. Hist. Cal., MS., S. General orders for reports on population were issued to local authori- ties in 1822 and in 1827. S. José, Arch., MS., vi. 21; Dept. Rec., MS., v. 42.

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654

INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.

siderable influence in the country. Hartnell, Cooper, Gale, and Spence took the lead, especially in commercial matters, and were allied already with the best families. Most of the strangers were known, not only in familiar communication but in the keeping of accounts, by strange distortions of their true names, by common Spanish names applied at baptism, or by nicknames referring to some peculiarity of person or character. I have elsewhere given some information about indi- viduals from year to year; but for convenience I ap- pend an alphabetical list of all foreigners who were in California before 1830.2 Neophyte population had now fallen from 20,500 in 1820 to 18,000, being less than in 1810. There were probably about 2,000 Ind- ians, not neophytes, living on ranchos, pueblos, and presidios in 1830. There are no data on which to base any estimate respecting the number of gentiles.3

The number of missions had been increased dur- ing the decade, by the promotion of San Rafael from the rank of asistencia and by the foundation of San Francisco Solano at Sonoma, from nineteen to twenty- one, the highest number ever reached. Of the thirty- seven padres at work in 1820, ten had now died; four had left California, and only three had come to take their places. Only twenty-six were left in charge of twenty-one establishments. The death of Señan had left none alive of those who came before 1790; and

2 See end of this chapter. Hall, Hist. S. José, 120, says the number of foreigners in 1830 was estimated at abont 70; while Cronise, Nat. Wealth of Cal., 46-7, says they were nearly 500, 'a large proportion' of the 1,200 in- habitants of Los Angeles, and half the 500 of S. José in 1831 being foreign- ers!

" Taylor makes the attempt, however, for 1826 in the California Farmer, March 2, 1860. His estimate is: Sonoma and other valleys north of S. Fran- cisco Bay to Clear Lake, 40,000 (or 70,000); Sacramento, from Red Bluff to American Fork, according to Jedediah Smith, S0,000; S. Joaquin, from the Cosumnes to the Tejon, Smith, 70,000; on the Colorado, Mojave and western coast range to the Gulf, 20,000; northern coast counties, 30,000; total, 240,000 within the present limits of California. Alvarado, Hist. Cal., i. 230, says there were in 1827, 37,000 gentiles allied by treaty with the Spaniards. Cronise, Nat. Wealth of Cal., 27, tells us the Indians in 1823 were estimated at 100,826, a very close estimate indeed; it might have been made 100,830 in even numbers, but the author would scorn to lie for four Indians.

655

PADRES AND MISSIONS.

the pioneers of carlier date than 1800 were now reduced to five.4

Mission history need not be presented here even en résumé, because it has been a leading element in the annals of each year, as presented in other chapters. The leading topics, matters involving the very exist- ence of the missions, had left nothing of time and attention for the petty subjects of old, respecting which the friars had been wont to quarrel with the secular authorities. The growth of commerce had rendered endurable the burden of furnishing supplies and pay- ing taxes for the support of the troops; though the hopes that once prompted a cheerful giving had well nigh disappeared. The success of republicanism, the troubles of the friars as loyal subjects of the king, the reduction of the missionary force by death, departure, and infirmity, the ruin of San Fernando college, the suspension of stipends from the pious fund, and above all the unmistakable tendency of the times toward a speedy secularization, all these things have been re- corded, and assuredly left the Franciscans but slight grounds for hope.5

4 The 37 serving in 1820, those who died before 1830 in italics, and those who retired marked with a *, were as follows:

Abella, *Altimira, 1828, Amorós, Arroyo, Barona, Boscana, Cabot (2), Catalá, 1830, Duran, Escudé, Esténega, Fortuni, Gil, Jaime, 1829, Martin, Martin, 1824, *Martinez, 1830, Nuez, 1821, *Olbés, 1821, Oliva, Ordaz, Pay- eras, 1823, Peyri, *Ripoll, 1828, Rodriguez, 1824, Saizar, Sanchez, Sancho, 1830, Sarria, Señan, 1823, Suñer, Tapis, 1825, Ulibarri, 1821, Uria, Viader, and Zalvidea.

The three new-comers, all of 1827, were the two Jimenos and Moreno. The five who had come before 1800 were: Abella, Barona, Peyri, Uria, and Via- der.

Of the 29 padres in 1825-6 nearly one half said to be unfit for duty by reason of age and infirmities. Arch. Sta B., MS., x. 306-10; xii. 104. C'ase of Marquinez in 1821, who, having retired to his college, claimed his full stipends as belonging to hini personally, it belonging to a mission to support its padre; $1,300 were paid him to prevent trouble; but later when the claim was renewed, the viceroy decided that nothing was due the friar, since he had received his support, and Franciscans could not hold property. Id., xi. 343-7; ix. S3-9. The circumstances connected with the departure of the four padres, one of whom retired regularly, two ran away, and one was ban- ished, being prominent items of current history, are fully recorded elsewhere; and as to the coming of three new padres in 1827 nothing is known beyond the fact of their coming.

5 On mission annals from 1821 to 1825, see chap. xx .- xxii. of this vol. and chap. i. iv. of vol. iii. on the period of-1826-30.

656

INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.

Baptisms had been 5,000 less than in the last decade, 3,000 of that difference being in the number of adults. In only a few missions were there any more gentiles accessible for conversion except at very great distances. The death-rate was slightly less than before. The loss in population, 2,500, all subsequent to 1824, was less than would be expected from the general course of mission history. It will be noticed that baptisms agreed with the crops, being largest in 1821 and smallest in 1829. In ten missions 1828 was the most deadly year. Four missions only, San Luis Rey, San Juan Bautista, San Rafael, and San Francisco Solano, gained in population. In cattle there was a gain of 16,000, all in nine missions; in sheep a loss of 40,000, only three missions showing a gain.6 Agriculture showed a marked decline of 27,375 bushels in the average yearly crop; and the percentage of yield from every kind of seed had also been largely diminished. The condition of the missions as a whole in 1830, as shown by statistics, was much less unsatisfactory than would be expected from the many unfavorable circum- stances which have been recorded. It does not clearly appear that more than one new church had been dedi- cated, that of Purísima; but the old ones were gen-

6 General statistics (for purposes of comparison with figures of the last decade, see chap. xix. 6-10): Baptisms, in ronnd numbers, 13,000, of which 5,000 adults and 8,000 children; smallest number, 750 in 1829; largest, 2,038 in 1821; deaths, 14,500; of which 9,250 adults and 5,250 children; largest number, 1,853, in 1828; smallest, 869 in 1830; death-rate, 40 per cent; loss in population, from 20,500 to 18,000, 2,500, or 8.2 per cent as against 39 per cent of gain for the last decade. The maximum of neophyte population was 21,092 in 1821, being also 21,066 in 1824. The loss in population exceeds the difference between baptisms and deaths by 1,000, which may be set down loosely as the number of runaways. Marriages ranged from 290 in 1830 to 623 in 1821, averaging 427. Mission cattle increased from 140,000 to 156,000 head; mules, from 1,880 to 1,900; horses decreased from 18,000 to 16,600; and sheep from 190,000 to 150,000. Largest crop in this decade and in all the mission existence, 180,000 bushels in 1821, which was the best year for all but six missions, all but one of the exceptions being in the north; smallest crop- between 1790 and 1834-36,000 bushels in 1829, which was the worst year for all but six missions, all but two of the exceptions being in the south; average crop, 86,250 bushels; of which 47,595 wheat, yield 10.7 fold; 19,230 corn, yield 110 fold; 13,290 barley, yield 12.3 fold; 3,795 beans, yield 28 fold; and 2,340 of miscellaneous grains. The smallest and largest crops of wheat, corn, and barley separately were also in 1829 and 1821.

657

MISSION FINANCE AND OFFICIALS.

erally in good repair and well furnished; while at nearly every mission there had been more or less im- provement in miscellaneous buildings, and in only one or two apparent neglect. Neither was there any evidence that mission discipline had been relaxed; nor did the friars appear unduly discouraged at their prospects, having somewhat exaggerated hopes of relief at the hands of a new governor. They had col- lected no part of the large sums, about half a mill- ion dollars, due the missions from the government; but their representatives had succeeded in obtaining some large sums on account of stipends, and the commer- cial revival had poured into the Franciscan treasuries an amount of ready money hitherto unknown. I have no doubt that much of the capital thus gained was devoted to purposes not directly concerning California, and put where it would do most good for the order and for the friars; but of course it can never be known exactly what use was made of it.

José Señan was president of the missions, vicar, and vice comisario prefecto until his death in August 1823. Vicente Francisco Sarria held the presidency until April 1825, Narciso Duran until September 1827, and José Sanchez for the rest of the decade. The office of prefect was held by Mariano Paveras until his death in April 1823; by José Señan, ad in- terim, until August 1823, and by Sarria during the remaining years. Martiarena continued to serve as síndico of the California missions at least until 1825, Estévan Velez de Escalante was síndico in Mexico in 1825, and Padre Juan Cortés was procurador at the college until at least 1828. At San Fernando José Gasol was guardian in 1821-2, Agustin Garijo in 1823-6, Juan Calzada in 1827-8, and José María Guzman in 1830; but the establishment was now virtually broken up.

Ecclesiastical matters have not like those pertain- ing to the missions been noticed in earlier chapters; HIST. CAL., VOL. II. 42

658

INSTITUTIONARY AND STATISTICAL.

but neither is there much to be recorded on this sub- ject. At the end of 1823 were issued orders through the bishop for a proper observance of religious cere- monies in all the churches in memory of the dead pope, Pius VII., the rites to include also prayers for the wise selection of a successor; and in July 1824, some two months after the preceding orders had been opened, the bishop sent others for mass and other demonstrations of joy, including three days of illumi- nation, at the accession of Pope Leo VII. These ceremonies were performed early in 1825. The death of Leo XII. and accession of Pius VIII. caused a repetition of funeral rites and of the rejoicings in September and October 1829. No detailed record of either celebration at any particular place is extant; but it seems that the illumination, ringing of bells, and firing of guns took place at presidios as well as at missions. In the spring of 1826 also was an- nounced the death of Bishop Bernardo del Espíritu Santo of Sonora, which had occurred in July 1825.7

As before there was no one in California authorized to administer the rite of confirmation, and the Cali- fornians seem not to have been greatly troubled by the want.8 Chaplain service at the pueblos and pre- sidios was still performed, irregularly, by the nearest missionaries; except that Padre Menendez, a Domin- ican, was employed as a chaplain for the troops at San Diego or Monterey after 1825. Secular priests who happened to visit the coast on Spanish vessels were not allowed to receive confessions by the Fran- ciscan authorities, though they sometimes wished to do so.9 Holy oil, blessed in Sonora or Puebla, came at rare intervals and small quantities. It had to be paid for in masses said by the friars, and the old must

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History of California, Volume II, Part 68

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe Publication date: 1885 Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers Number of Pages: 826

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : The History Company, publishers
Number of Pages: 826